Events
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May 24, 2013
PRESS RELEASE Nº28/21st AU SUMMIT
1st SYMPOSIUM OF WOMEN AND CHILD RIGHTS IN AFRICA
BY SUDANESE NGOAddis Ababa, Ethiopia, 24 May 2013: In line with the African Union Celebrations of the 50th Anniversary, the National Group for Human Rights (NGHR) held a symposium on the third floor, small conference room 3 (new building) from 11:00- 1:00pm at the African Union Commission. The NGHR congratulated the OAU in its 50th Anniversary and commended the efforts of human rights groups in the country and further hoped that in the next 50 years the union and Africa will be developed beyond expectations.
The symposium was carried out in order to stress the need and significance of women and child rights in Africa as a whole and Sudan in particular and also to shed some light on the progress and how far human rights institutions have come in terms of what they have been able to achieve in the areas concerning women and children.
Speaking at the symposium, Dr Mustapha who is a consultant, women and child defender and paediatrician at the University of Khartoum and other universities called for “a united, safe and developed Africa in the coming years” and added that improvement of the welfare of women and children is necessary for development. Dr Mustapha also added that the protection of all human beings is important, but the protection and promotion of women and children’s rights should be at the forefront. She called for equal rights everywhere and the prevention of slave trade and child slavery.
According to the Dr, Sudanese women are among the pioneers in Africa in their enjoyment of independent personality from men, in their empowerment in owning properties, conducting businesses and issuing all relevant decisions concerning their lives and they are among the few in Africa as far back as the fifties to enjoy voting rights in elections in the first free election after independence.
In her statement she added that at the African regional level, Sudan is a party to the African Union constitutive Act which was adopted in the year 2000 at the Lome summit in Togo and entered into force in 2001.
Also speaking at the symposium, Mrs Gamar Habani of the Faculty of Law at the University of Khartoum and an Advocate and Lawyer spoke on the issue of child rights. She said “The problem of child labour in Africa is still a big issue” and appealed for the end of the use of children as soldiers. She also added that the Child Right Units of the Armed Forces in Sudan aims at protecting children in peace and war settings.
The next symposium will be held on the 26th of May at the same venue. -
May 24, 2013
INVITATION TO THE MEDIA
PRESS BRIEFING OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AU COMMISSION
Within the framework of the 21st AU summit, falling within the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the OAU-AU, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission will on Friday, 24 May 2013 at 17h30 hold a press briefing on the following:
- Celebrating Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance
The briefing will be held in the Small Conference Hall 4, at the new AU Conference Center, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Journalists are invited to take part in the press briefing.
Contact:
Ms. Yaye N. Sène
Directorate of Information and Communication
E-mail: seney@africa-union.org
Office : +251 115 182 568
Cell : +251 913 45 31 13 -
May 24, 2013
PRESS RELEASE Nº28/21st AU SUMMIT
1st SYMPOSIUM OF WOMEN AND CHILD RIGHTS IN AFRICA
BY SUDANESE NGOAddis Ababa, Ethiopia, 24 May 2013: In line with the African Union Celebrations of the 50th Anniversary, the National Group for Human Rights (NGHR) held a symposium on the third floor, small conference room 3 (new building) from 11:00- 1:00pm at the African Union Commission. The NGHR congratulated the OAU in its 50th Anniversary and commended the efforts of human rights groups in the country and further hoped that in the next 50 years the union and Africa will be developed beyond expectations.
The symposium was carried out in order to stress the need and significance of women and child rights in Africa as a whole and Sudan in particular and also to shed some light on the progress and how far human rights institutions have come in terms of what they have been able to achieve in the areas concerning women and children.
Speaking at the symposium, Dr Mustapha who is a consultant, women and child defender and paediatrician at the University of Khartoum and other universities called for “a united, safe and developed Africa in the coming years” and added that improvement of the welfare of women and children is necessary for development. Dr Mustapha also added that the protection of all human beings is important, but the protection and promotion of women and children’s rights should be at the forefront. She called for equal rights everywhere and the prevention of slave trade and child slavery.
According to the Dr, Sudanese women are among the pioneers in Africa in their enjoyment of independent personality from men, in their empowerment in owning properties, conducting businesses and issuing all relevant decisions concerning their lives and they are among the few in Africa as far back as the fifties to enjoy voting rights in elections in the first free election after independence.
In her statement she added that at the African regional level, Sudan is a party to the African Union constitutive Act which was adopted in the year 2000 at the Lome summit in Togo and entered into force in 2001.
Also speaking at the symposium, Mrs Gamar Habani of the Faculty of Law at the University of Khartoum and an Advocate and Lawyer spoke on the issue of child rights. She said “The problem of child labour in Africa is still a big issue” and appealed for the end of the use of children as soldiers. She also added that the Child Right Units of the Armed Forces in Sudan aims at protecting children in peace and war settings.
The next symposium will be held on the 26th of May at the same venue. -
May 24, 2013
PRESS RELEASE Nº30/21st AU SUMMIT
Basketball Tournament held to celebrate OAU/AU golden jubilee
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 24th May 2013: As part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the African Union Commission (AUC), a basketball tournament was held today at the basketball courts of the AUC. The game was organized by Dr Benjamin, President of the African Union Commission Basketball club. The 1st game kicked off at 15:00.
Although it rained heavily, it did not discourage the teams from playing the game. Three teams took part in the tournament:
The African Union Team wore a red jersey.
The Rwanda Team wore a navy blue jersey with white stripe.
The Burundi Team wore a blue jersey with yellow stripe.The Burundi and Rwanda teams consisted of players who are students of the Defense University College (DUC) in Debre Zeit, a town lying Southeast of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
Rwanda beat Burundi 18-17in the first game. The 2nd round was between Burundi and the AU team; and Burundi won 41-38. The 3rd and final round was played by Rwanda and the AU team; the AU team won with a score of 33-19.
However at the end of the tournament, everyone was a winner because each team was presented with a trophy. The Tournament ended at 19:30.
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May 24, 2013 to May 31, 2013African Esthetics: An African / African Diaspora Collection of Fine Arts / Artifacts / Photographs - May 24 - 31, 2013
African Esthetics: An African / African Diaspora Collection of Fine Arts / Artifacts / Photographs - May 24 - 31, 2013
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May 23, 2013
PRESS RELEASE N0. 21/21ST AU SUMMIT
Sudan and Ethiopia gear-up for Commemorative Football Match to Mark OAU/AU 50th Anniversary
23 May 2013, Addis Ababa:On 25 May 2013, 50 years after the founding of the Organization of the African Unity (OAU), the eyes of the continent will once again be focused on the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, to witness a commemorative friendly football match between the hosts, Ethiopia and invited guests, Sudan at the National Stadium.
The significance of selecting the two Nations to battle it out for the commemorative trophy stems from the fact that the two were among the four founding members of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the governing body of African football. The other two founding members are Egypt and South Africa.
Since 2010, the AU and CAF have been using sport as a tool for development and peace across the continent includingthrough the “Make Peace Happen Campaign.” This longstanding partnership was formalized on 14 June 2012, after the two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to use the universal appeal of football as a platform to advocate and promote social change in Africa. Earlier this year, the twoorganizations kicked off activities to commemoratethe OAU/AU 50th Anniversary celebrations during the opening ceremony of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in Johannesburg.
Among the key guests expected to attend the friendly football match are Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, Kuma Demeksa, Mayor of Addis Ababa, Amin Abdurrahman, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia, Abdisa Yadeta, Ethiopian Commissioner for Sports, Mekonnen Addis, Chairman of the National Organizing Committee of the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU.
Saturday’s friendly football match, which is open to the public, is the flagship sports event for the celebrations among many others lined up across the continent to promote Pan Africanism and African Renaissance. These events also aim to rally the entire continent and diaspora behind a common unifying cause and towards setting a clear agenda for 2063 under the banner: ‘one Africa, for prosperity and peace.’
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May 23, 2013
MEDIA ADVISORY
AU Diaspora African Forum to hold an African Esthetics Exhibition
Addis Ababa, 23 May 2013: As part of the commemoration of the OAU-AU 50th Jubilee Celebration, the African Union Diaspora African Forum (AU DAF) in collaboration with the Rita Marley Foundation will launch an exhibition of African Diaspora collection of Fine Art and photographs Today, 23 May 2013, at the Institute of Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa University (AAU).
The opening ceremony will be attended by representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), Ministers, Government officials, and other invited guest.
The Exhibition is expected to provide a platform to honor several countries and individuals for their remarkable track record of being actively involved in the Pan-African movement.
DAF Head of Mission and Founder, Ambassador Erieka Bennett will present awards to Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania for their willingness to accept and reintegrate members of the African Diaspora into their countries.
Her Excellency, Dr. Bennett, will also present awards to Malawian President Joyce Banda; Nigerian businessman Dr. Bamanga Tukur, and AU Chair, Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, Ambassador Vincent Okobi, Former President of Zambia, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda for their tireless efforts towards the unification of the Africans at home and abroad by providing opportunities for returning Africans.
The exhibition, which will be on display until 31 May 2013, showcases a selection of artifacts and photographs, depicting the history of the Diaspora, from Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, United States, and Brazil
Journalists are invited to attend the ceremony at 6:00 pmNote to the Editors
The (AU) Diaspora African Forum Mission is an African Union endorsed non-governmental organization which was established in 2007. The Mission was born as a result of the recommendations of the African Union ad hoc Ministerial Committee that the AU should “invite and encourage the full participation of African in the Diaspora in the building of the African Union, in its capacity as an important part of the continent.”
The AUDAF Mission is the first diplomatic Diaspora mission established on the continent of Africa. Located in Accra, Ghana at the historical W.E.B. Dubois Center, the mission seeks to create opportunities to bridge communication barriers of Africans throughout the Diaspora and create opportunities to have meaningful and fruitful exchanges amongst the group. For more information on the organization and its activities please visit the website, www.audaf.org.
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May 23, 2013
INVITATION TO THE MEDIA
PRESS BRIEFING OF CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD (ACERWC) IS POSTPONED
The press conference of Dr Benyam Dawit Mezmur, Chairperson of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child of the African Union, scheduled to take place on Thursday, 23rd May 2013 at 16h00 hold a press briefing on the following is postponed to Friday 24 May at 15h00.
Theme - Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance for an Africa Fit for Children
Objective – To highlight the role of the ACERWC, and take some stock of the state of children in Africa, and reflect on the way forward on issues such as the MDGs, post-2015 development agenda, birth registration, harmful practices, and the Day of the African Child for 2013 and 2014.
The briefing will be held in Briefing Room 1, at the new AU Conference Center, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Journalists are invited to take part in the press briefing.
Contact:
Ms. Yaye N. Sène
Directorate of Information and Communication
E-mail: seney@africa-union.org
Office : +251 115 182 568
Cell : +251 913 45 31 13 -
May 23, 2013
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May 23, 2013
INVITATION TO THE MEDIA
PRESS BRIEFING OF THE NATIONAL GROUP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Within the framework of the 21st AU summit, falling within the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the OAU-AU, the National Group for Human Rights, will on Thursday, 23rd May 2013 at 12h00 hold a press briefing on the following:
- Women situation in Sudan
- Peace process in SudanThe briefing will be held in Briefing Room 1, at the new AU Conference Center, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Journalists are invited to take part in the press briefing.
Contact:
Mrs Abla Mahdi Abdel Maniem
National Group for Human Rights
E-mail: ablamahdi@hotmail.com
hawasociety@hotmail.com
Cell : +251 922 72 65 67 -
May 23, 2013
MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT
High resolution pictures available for download on AU Website
The Directorate of Information and Communication would like to inform all media representatives that high resolution photos of the 21st Ordinary Session of the AU Summit and of the 50th OAU/AU anniversary are available for the use of media on the African Union Website at http://share.au.int/50th.
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May 23, 2013
PRESS RELEASE Nº23/21st AU SUMMIT
ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN FIRST LADIES AGAINST HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) TECHNICAL ADVISERS MEETING
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 May 2013: In line with the framework of the 50th Anniversary of the African Union Commission (AUC), a technical advisers meeting of OAFLA (Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS) is being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the African Union old building, from the 23- 24 May, 2013. The first ladies of Africa, as women and mothers, bring a unique passion, perspective and position to fight against HIV/AIDS. These leaders want to utilize their roles as first ladies and join forces with those responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.
Today’s meeting was attended by consultants and participants from different African countries including Namibia, Swaziland, Chad, Nigeria and a host of other countries. The Executive Secretary of OAFLA, Sonia Ndimbira opened the session by welcoming and thanking the participants for attending the event. Tigist Alemu, A consultant for OAFLA welcomed the participants and further highlighted that the technical advisers meeting is being held in order to contribute ways in which HIV/AIDS can be tackled both at the community, regional and national level.
The advisors also tackled the question of where the continent wants to see OAFLA in the next five years in terms of what it wants to achieve by the aforementioned time. The improvement of the vision of the organization was also critically discussed, in terms of what distinguishes the organization from other organizations (uniqueness). Tigist Alemu stated that it is very important for OAFLA to carry out its activities diligently because, it is a life saving/ maintaining organization therefore, it is indeed crucial for the continent as a whole but specifically for those that are infected/ affected by HIV/AIDS.
The goals of OAFLA were also discussed. They include the following:
• Reducing new HIV Infections among the general population by promoting the prevention of mother-child-transmission (PMTCT) continuing education, information and communication (in school and out of school).
• Reducing stigma and discrimination (mobilization support for People Living with HIV and AIDS orphans)
• Increasing Anti retroviral Therapy (ART) coverage through universal access, mass drug production and the mobilization of the public for action.
• The promotion of women’s rights and opportunities through campaigning for the elimination of gender based violence and also for the lobby of women’s small scale projects and entrepreneurs.
• Reducing maternal and child deaths by promoting the benefit of immunization, integration of services and spouses support, the promotion of cancer screening and also the need to improve the nutritional status of mothers and their children was also stressed.On the 24th of May, 2013, the major common challenges will be identified and discussed by the consultants and participants. Possible solutions and recommendations will also be brainstormed in the session.